February 17, 2021 - Woodstock, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The governments of Canada and Ontario are expanding Ontario's meat processing sector by investing $127,000 to support a research initiative by Meat and Poultry Ontario (MPO). The project will identify opportunities to increase meat processing capacity in order to address a growing demand for abattoir services across the province.
The demand for processing facilities in Ontario, especially in the North, continues to grow. In response, MPO has begun researching a strategy that pairs skills development with innovative technologies to increase efficiency and capacity across the sector. This work builds on three additional federal-provincial funding programs introduced over the last year to deal with more urgent challenges:
- $2 million for food safety initiatives
- $2.25 million for provincial meat plants to make workplace modifications to increase worker health and safety during COVID-19
- $4 million for rapid measures to increase capacity
Quotes
"Despite challenges caused by COVID-19, the hardworking women and men in Canada's meat and poultry processing sector have stepped up to deliver their quality products to Canadian kitchen tables. The investments announced today will provide these businesses the tools they need to continue delivering for Canadians and prepare for growth in this valued industry."
- The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Ontario's meat processing sector is an important contributor to Ontario's economy. Today's announcement is part of our government's plan to support projects that increase processing capacity and help our local meat sector continue to grow."
- Ernie Hardeman, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
"Innovation is key to Canada's agricultural sector, and the investment announced today will support Ontario's meat processors in keeping their businesses on the cutting edge. This funding will ensure a stable meat supply and keep high-quality and affordable Canadian meat products on our grocery store shelves and kitchen tables."
- Neil Ellis, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"The pandemic has highlighted some of the vulnerabilities in the meat & poultry sector, one of them being the need to increase processing capacity. This study is the first step in identifying opportunities and possible solutions for the future growth of our sector. We would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their timely funding of this project."
- Carol Goriup, President of Meat & Poultry Ontario
Quick facts
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This project is being funded under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors.
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There are 480 provincially licensed and 230 federally licensed facilities (abattoirs and free-standing meat plants) in Ontario.
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The Ontario agri-food sector supports more than 860,000 jobs in Ontario and contributes more than $47.3 billion each year to the province's economy.
